Many Xiaomi smartphone owners, especially those who have switched brands or recently upgraded the device, face an unusual interface. The second screen can appear in different situations: when unlocked, as a duplicate image or as a separate page of widgets.
However, what users call a "second screen" may actually be several different features of a MIUI or HyperOS system, such as "pocket mode," "second space," "duplicating the screen to the TV," or simply a superfluous page with widgets, and understanding the specific reason behind the extra interface is key to solving the problem.
In this article, we'll look at all possible scenarios, and you'll learn how to turn off the intrusive widgets on the left of the desktop, remove duplicate images, and adjust the lock screen so that it doesn't look like a dashboard, and the main reason for the confusion is the combination of Pocket Mode and Second Space in the minds of users, although technically they're different system processes.
Remove the left page with widgets (Google Discover and Mi Video)
The most common case where users are looking for a way to remove the second screen is if there is an extra page to the left of the main desktop, which usually houses news, weather, app recommendations and widgets from Google, which is built into the launcher and easily disabled through settings.
You need to get to the desktop control menu first, and you can do this in two ways: either pinch the empty area on the desktop or go to system settings. The MIUI launcher allows you to flexibly adjust the number of pages and their content, but by default the left panel is often activated.
If you prefer minimalism and don't use the news feed, turning it off will speed navigation, and swiping to the left will take you straight to the first desktop, not the information aggregator.
To perform the setting, perform the following actions:
- 📱 Press your finger on an empty desktop space to open the editing menu.
- ⚙️ Click on the "Settings" button (cogs) in the lower right corner of the screen.
- 🚫 Find the left panel or Google Discover switch and turn it to the off position".
After this, the swipe to the left will stop opening the news feed, but if you use a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, the settings may be in the “Desktops” or “Google Tapes” section.
Disabling the "Second Space" mode
A more complicated case is Second Space, which is not just an extra page, but a fully isolated environment inside your smartphone, which acts as a separate user profile with its apps, photos, contacts and accounts, and often users activate it accidentally or forget the password from it, thinking it's some weird second screen.
The second space is useful for separating work and personal life, but if you don't need it, it wastes memory and battery, and unlike a simple widget, it stores real data, so it's worth checking before you delete it.
To remove this space, you need to have access to the main profile, and if you forgot how you got there, chances are you activated the feature through security settings or created quick access by fingerprint.
The removal process is as follows:
- 🔓 Unlock your phone and enter the main space.
- 🛡️ Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second space.
- 🗑️ Click on the delete button (basket or cross) and confirm the action.
The system will alert you that all data in the second space will be destroyed.Make sure you choose the right profile to delete so you don't lose your personal files.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the Second Space, all the apps, photos and contacts stored inside it will be permanently deleted.
Setting and disabling "Pocket Mode"
Another feature that is often confused with the second screen is Pocket Mode, where when the phone is removed from your pocket or bag, the screen lights up and shows the time, date, notifications and weather on a black background, which many people perceive as the appearance of a "second screen" instead of the usual lock.
This feature is implemented through AOD (Always On Display) technology or custom design themes, and it is designed to quickly look at information without fully unlocking the device, but if it interferes with or consumes charge, the mode can be easily deactivated.
The interface of Pocket Mode may vary depending on the theme you set. Xiaomi’s standard themes have their own design, and third-party themes can change it beyond recognition.
To disable, use the following algorithm:
- 🖥️ Open the Settings. → Lock screen.
- 📵 Find the item "Pocket Mode" (or "Pocket Mode").
- ⭕ Switch the slider to the "Off" position".
It's also worth checking your theme settings, and if you use a third-party theme store design, it can force your lock screens on, so you can go back to the standard Classic or Default theme.
Elimination of screen duplication (Translation)
Sometimes, by "second screen," users mean a situation where an image from a phone appears on a TV, monitor, or other device, a broadcast function (Cast) that can be activated randomly when you press a button in the notification curtain.
If your Xiaomi phone suddenly starts streaming a picture to a nearby Smart TV, it means that the Translation feature is running. It's not a malfunction, but a regular Miracast or Google Cast protocol.
To stop this process and return the image only to the phone, you need to find an active connection, usually at the top of the screen (at the status bar) there is a screen icon or chromecast when the broadcast is active.
Instructions for unsetting:
- Swipe down from top to top to open the control center.
- Find the icon "Translation" (rectangle with waves) or "Cast".
- Click on it to break the connection or select "Disable" in the menu that appears.
If the icon doesn't disappear, check your Wi-Fi settings. Phone and TV can be on the same network, and automatic connection is via the Xiaomi TV or Google Home app.
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If the broadcast icon doesn’t go away, try turning off Wi-Fi temporarily, which will break the connection to the external display instantly.
Table: Comparison of the types of "second screens" on Xiaomi
To make it easier for you to navigate your settings, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you identify your problem and choose the right path to solve.
| Screen type | Wherever | Purpose of use | How to clean up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left panel. | Left of the 1st desktop | News, widgets, search | Launcher settings |
| Second space | Separate system profile | Data separation and privacy | Settings → Second Space |
| Pocket mode | Lock screen | Quick time-watching | Settings → Lock screen |
| Broadcasting | External display (TV) | Content demonstration | Control Center → Broadcast |
As you can see from the table, each case requires a different approach, so you should not try to delete system files or reset your phone if you are just talking about setting up a launcher.
Resetting the launcher settings and eliminating errors
If none of the above methods worked, the desktop system application may have failed, and the launcher may have "remembered" the error configuration, which prevents the second screen from being removed by standard methods.
In this case, it will help to clean the cache and reset the settings of the system application responsible for the desktop. This will not delete your personal data (photos, contacts), but will return the location of the icons and interface settings to the factory.
Follow the following steps:
- 📂 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 🔍 Find the Desktop App (or System Launcher) in the list).
- 🧹 Press "Clear" → "Clear everything" (or "Reset settings").
After that, the phone can reboot or just blink the screen, the desktop will return to its original state, and the extra pages should disappear.
☑️ Check before launcher reset
⚠️ Attention: Resetting the launcher will return the icon grid to factory appearance. If you have a complex custom widget arrangement, take a screenshot in advance to restore it.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the answers to the questions that most often arise when users try to configure the interface.
Can I delete the second space completely if I forget my password?
Why did the left page reappear after the MIUI update?
Does the “pocket mode” affect battery consumption?
Hidden functions of the second screen
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The correct configuration of the Xiaomi interface allows you to get rid of visual noise and speed up access to the necessary functions, making the use of the smartphone more comfortable.
To sum up, the second screen on Xiaomi is often a set of useful but intrusive personalization features. Understanding the differences between widgets, profiles and display modes makes it easy to control your device’s behavior.